Acanthamoeba Infection

What is Acanthamoeba Infection?

Acanthamoeba can cause a serious brain infection that can be life threatening to the patient. Acanthamoeba infection can lead to Granulomatous amebic. This species of amoeba are found in water sources that are around humans every day such as lakes, pools, heating and air conditioning systems and even in our tap water. It’s a very serious illness especially for the young, the old and the people whose immune systems have been compromised for one reason or another.

What are the symptoms of Acanthamoeba Infection?

Common symptoms of Acanthamoeba Infection include the following:

• Mental status changes
• Headaches and stiff neck
• Vomiting
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Fever
• Muscular weakness
• Partial paralysis affecting one side of the body
• Double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Miscellaneous neurological issues
• Hallucinations
• Seizures

What causes Acanthamoeba Infection?

Acanthamoeba can be found in tap water, unpreserved solutions such as saline for contact lenses, hot tubs and stagnant fresh-water ponds. It can also be found in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and humidifiers.

How is Acanthamoeba Infection diagnosed?

Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis (GAE) and disseminated infection (infections that have one single point of entry, but have spread) are usually at advanced stages before they are diagnosed. Brain scans, spinal taps ad biopsies are helful in making the final diagnosis. Biopsy of the involved sites like the skin and sinues can be helpful.

What are the treatments for Acanthamoeba Infection?

When Acanthamoeba infects the brain & spinal cord the results are usually fatal. This kind of infection is called Granulomatous Encephalitis.

Where can I find out more about Acanthamoeba Infection?

• NIH
• CDC
• MalaCards